39
ARIAH
“You have to remember that you have your watch. It can be the difference between life and death,” Thomas reminds me as we pull up to the school.
He recommended I stay home today, but I saw no reason to do that. Yesterday was scary. However, I’m physically unharmed and refuse to be locked in a tower.
“Did we increase security around the kids?” I ask him as he pulls to a stop.
Placing the car in park, he reaches for his door and responds, “Yes, they now have five guards on them. One inside each of their classrooms and two outside the school. I won’t let anything happen to them or you.”
The tension leaves my body, and my muscles ease. Allowing me to release some of the mounting anxiety I feel when I think of the danger they could be in.
I should probably be more worried about myself, but I’d never recover if something happened to any of them, especially if it was because of me.
I’m so distracted by my thoughts I don’t realize Thomas has left the car until I hear my door open.
My wine-colored Converse hit the pavement as I say, “Thanks, Thomas. I’m supposed to work with Wy and Lev on our project. So, I’ll catch a ride with Wy. Just grab me around seven from his house.”
He nods before he replies, “Excellent, Miss Bishop. I’ll be outside until I see you safely in Mr. Grant’s car.”
“Riah, I feel like I haven’t seen you in days,” Shay walks in step with me once I reach the sidewalk.
Rolling my eyes, I smirk, “We literally saw each other last night.”
She rushed to my house, up in arms and ready for a fight once I told her about the incident yesterday. She’s really a great friend.
“I know, but I was worried. It feels like so much is happening so fast, and it’s coming at you from all directions.” She sighs, her freckled face looking weary.
Completely agreeing with her assessment, I add, “It feels like some scripted reality TV show.”
Wyatt strides up the sidewalk, reaching the front entrance as we do.
“Riri, Love,” he whispers, leaning in and kissing my cheek.
I flush scarlet, my face heating.PDA? We’re doing PDA?I didn’t know this was our thing. I almost feel shy about it until I remember I have nothing to be nervous about. Wyatt’s been nothing but great to me. A tad on the possessive side, but I like it.
He and Owen make me clench. If I’m being honest, they’re all drool-worthy, but the other two suffer from foot-in-mouth syndrome.
Smiling up into his hazel eyes, I say, “Well, aren’t we being forward this morning?”
He chuckles as strong arms wrap around me from behind. Owen’s firm grip sandwiches me between them, planting a kiss on the pulse point of my neck and nipping.
Chills immediately run straight to my vagina.Fuck.Is it too early to want your vibrator or to turn your shower massager on pulse?
Inhaling, he mumbles against my skin, “You know how much I love having you in between us don’t you Angel?”
I’m about to be a puddle of stimulated goo until Shay drags me from my dream-coming-to-life situation.
Swatting them away, the cheeky bitch utters, “Nope, mine! You can have her after class.”
Laughing, she drags me away from them. When I peer back, I’m met with two crestfallen faces.
“Umm, when exactly did this happen?” she asks once we’re in front of her locker.
Shaking my head, I shrug. “I’m still trying to figure it out myself. After what happened with Owen last week in the hall—”
Her arm shoots out, grabbing my shoulders and cutting me off, “What do you mean after what happened with Owen last week? Are you holding out on me? You bitch!”
